§ 1. Mr. Culverwellasked the Minister of Labour how many miners, who are fit for work in mines, are now employed in Royal Ordnance factories; and how many it is proposed to release?
The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Kevin)I cannot give figures, but I can say that arrangements are in hand for transferring to coal-mining all ex-face mine workers employed at Royal Ordnance factories who are fit for underground work, except those employed on supervisory duties.
§ Mr. CulverwellIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are a great number of coal face getters still employed in Royal Ordnance factories, and is it not extraordinary that, while the coal situation has been obviously getting worse for many months, he is only just now taking action to take those men away?
§ Mr. BevinI am afraid that my hon. Friend is not aware of the facts. In the last six months I have transferred, at a great loss of wages to themselves, over 36,000 men from munition factories to the mines.
§ Mr. CulverwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are still a great many potential coal getters still employed, and even redundant, in Government Ordnance factories?
§ Mr. BevinI do not accept that they are redundant, but my hon. Friend must remember that this is a total war, and all phases of production have to be carried on.
§ Mr. CulverwellI wish my right hon. Friend would remember that.
Mr. StephensWill the right hon. Gentleman make arrangements for the hon. Gentleman who put the Question to work at the coal face?